DETROIT - Tesla Motors Inc, the 10-year-old U.S. automaker led by billionaire Elon Musk, unveiled a service program on Friday meant to quell fears about buying and maintaining an electric car and boost sales of the Model S sedan in the long run.

The program includes a warranty on the battery pack that covers damage caused by poor maintenance. Tesla will replace the battery for free with one of equal or better capacity.

Search cars

The warranty "wouldn’t apply if you take a blowtorch to the battery pack or blow it up or use it for target practice," Chief Executive Musk said during a conference call.

"As long as you haven’t intentionally tried to destroy it, then it’s covered by warranty," he said.

The program is part of Tesla’s effort to address some of the issues that have hurt electric car sales, including their high cost and battery life.

The Model S, Tesla’s second model after the Roadster, is Tesla’s effort to reach a broader group of buyers. The car starts around $70,000 before a $7,500 tax credit.